Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-12-01
THE PRoVIDRNTiAL RAIS.

FOR many weeks OeIOTe the uIe the eeVeEe6
drouth known in many years had prevailed
very many wells and cisterns were dry. anC
the balance very low. The day before tbt
fire was d wet and disagreesble one. In the
early evening there was good rainfall, snt
throughout the night moisture prevailed
This wasa fsvoring circumstance, and greatly
assisted the people in fighting the fire; not,
withstanding some wells and cIsterns in tht
vicinity of the fire were speedily pumped dry.
SPLENDID BATTLE WITH THE PLAARs.
Considering the means at hand, no better
work could be done at fire. OF Course the
man who throws mirrors and bedsteads out
of upstairs windows upon the pavement be-
low, and buckets from the tops of buildings
upon the heads Of people, was there. No fire
would be fully rounded out and complete
without him. Still the men. as 3 rule, had
their wits about them, and fought the fire and
removed and protected property cOolly and
with superb courage. Especial mention
should be made Of the mechanics employed
upon the new court house, residents of New
ak, Columbus, Sandusky and other towns,
and none of when had any interest in the
property being destroyed or endangered.
They did splendid service, and are entitled to
the warmest thanks of all our people.
THE ORIGIN OF TKR FIRE
is unknown. Deputy Sheriff Scott, who
lives q half square above, got there early.
Running down the alley and TO the rear Of
The CHRONICLE Office he discovered the rear
end of the building occupied by Osborne's
store and Thompson on fire, and the building
occupied by The CHRONICLE burning on the
outside. No fire seemed to be in the latter
building at that time, and it had apparently
startod at the ground. Mr.. Scott ran back
to the street for help. in hope the Hre could be
conquered. Meantime "Laddy" Tarbet had
burst into THE CHRONICLE office, and find
Ing no fire there, into Osborne's grocery, frsm
which came volumes Of smoke against which
no man could stand, and then fierce flames.
II the fire was an accidental one, 1t is diff
cult to conceive how 1t was started. That It's
origin was in the cornsr Of the building &C.
cu2ied by Osberns. and up against THE
CHRONICLE press-room there can be no man
ner of doubt (the latter building extended
back twelve or more feet beyond the former).
Under Osborne's store were rooms which had
been occupied by Mrs. Elias johnson, but va
Gated about one week before the fire. In the
rear WAS q chimney, with fueI used by Os-
borne above, and by Thom.' .'GoH. still above
him. No fire had been in THE CHRONICLE
pre's-roOm since Wednesday evening. mol had
the fiue under Osborne's store been used for
several days. ALI who saw 1t early agree
that it was confined to = small space In the
corner described. and that it appeared to be
on the outside, under an outside stairway
leading to the ground from the rear Of Thomp.
sons rooms
The ThoDp.ons smelled hie during the
night. and were up three times looking around
their rooms, but discovered noue They
looked into the street and out at the rear.
likewise.
Friday evening stranger appeared in town
who professed to be In the secret service Of
he government, that he was on Z vacation,
md while at Cambridge hearing Of the fire, at
he suggestion of friend of THE CHRONICLE,
who thought it possible the work Of an ircen.
iiary, came down to work it up His servi-
:es were declined, aud 1t turned out he had
lot been sent here, Is alleged The move
nents Of the man were suspicious, and subse.
luant developments strengthened the sus-
1lcions.
THE RUINS
were still smouldering Tuesday morning.
Sunday forenoon high wind prevailed, fam
hing the debris into flames. sRd there being
unes,iness among many people, q
'oree OF men and two teams were put to work
after dinner hauling water and drowning the